Orioles will need new closer in 2026

The Orioles lost five key members of their bullpen within three weeks in July. Right-handers Bryan Baker, Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge, and left-hander Gregory Soto were traded ahead of the trade deadline and their closer, Félix Bautista, didn’t pitch after July 20^th and had rotator cuff and labrum surgery.

It was Bautista’s second major surgery in less than two years. He had Tommy John surgery in October 2023, and it’s unlikely he’ll pitch in 2026.

The Orioles will have new pitchers in their bullpen next spring, and they’ll need a new closer. For the moment, let’s concentrate on finding a new ninth-inning pitcher.

After Bautista’s surgery, the Orioles signed Craig Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star who narrowly missed a 10^th selection after a fine first half in 2024.

Unfortunately, Kimbrel imploded in the second half of the season, and the Orioles used Domínguez instead.

Let’s look at the closer options the Orioles have and might have in 2026.

Internal options

After the mass turnover in the bullpen, interim manager Tony Mansolino said the team didn’t have a closer.

Left-hander Keegan Akin saved eight games in August and September. He blew three saves and finished with a 3.55 ERA, too high for a closer. Akin has been an opener and multi-inning reliever, and that’s likely how the Orioles will use him in 2026.

Yennier Cano had one save in the last two months of the season and two blown saves. He was 3-7 with a 5.12 ERA. Cano is not a closer, and there’s a question if he’ll even return.

Left-hander Dietrich Enns had two saves after he was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline. One of those saves was of the three-inning variety. Enns had a 3.14 ERA and has a $3 million option. It’s questionable whether the Orioles will pick it up.

Kade Strowd seems like the most likely internal option, though he didn’t have any saves in his 25 games. The 28-year-old Strowd had a 1.71 ERA, which was excellent, and 13 walks in 26 1/3 innings, which wasn’t.

Convert a starter

In 2014, the Orioles were looking for a successor to Jim Johnson, who had 101 saves in his previous two seasons but had grown too expensive in their eyes.

They initially tried Tommy Hunter, who didn’t work out, and then they experimented with Zack Britton, who didn’t make it as a starter. He was spectacular, and converted each of his 47 save opportunities in 2016.

Grayson Rodriguez and Tyler Wells could be candidates. Rodriguez and Wells are projected as starters for now, and Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched since July 31^st, 2024, has never been a reliever.

Wells looked strong in his four starts with a 2.91 ERA. In 2021, when he was a Rule 5 draft pick, Wells worked his way into the closer’s role. He did have four saves in six chances in September for a team that lost 110 games.

In 2023, after he spent time in the minors after faltering at the start of the second half, the Orioles decided Wells would be better off as a reliever and he threw five hitless innings in September.

He started in 2024, but had only three starts before he was injured and eventually needed elbow surgery, and didn’t pitch until September.

Perhaps, he’ll be converted to a reliever, but for now it appears the Orioles might need him as a starter.

External options

The biggest potential names on the market are Edwin Diaz and Robert Suárez, both of whom have options.

Diaz is the most accomplished closer who could be available. In 2025, he had 28 saves and a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He’s likely to decline his $18.5 million option.

Suárez has an $8 million option with San Diego, and he seems certain to test free agency. The younger brother of Albert Suárez had a 2.97 ERA and 40 saves for the Padres, striking out 75 with just 16 walks in 69 2/3 innings.

If either is available, the Orioles might pursue them.

Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz has an affordable $6 million team option that the Mariners seem certain to pick up.

Veteran closers Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Hesley and Devin Williams had disappointing seasons for Atlanta, the New York Mets and New York Yankees.

An interesting name is Pete Fairbanks, whom the Orioles have seen often with Tampa Bay. Fairbanks had a 2.83 ERA and 27 saves with the Rays, who hold a $7 million option.

Kenley Jansen has 476 lifetime saves, behind only Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith. Now 38, Jansen had a 2.59 ERA and 29 saves for the Los Angeles Angels.

If the Orioles want a reunion, Dominguez and Soto will be free agents, and if the Chicago Cubs decline Kittredge’s $9 million option, he’ll be on the market, too.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.